UNLV starting quarterback Matthew Sluka announced late Tuesday night on social media he will not play in any more games this season.
Sluka, a senior, said Wednesday he will instead use his redshirt year. He spent the first four seasons of his college career at Holy Cross.
“I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled,” Sluka posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Despite discussions, it became clear that these commitments would not be fulfilled in the future. I wish my teammates the best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of the program.”
Later Wednesday, running back Michael Allen also announced his decision to leave the team, citing unmet “expectations for opportunities.” Allen was also in his first year at UNLV.
In interviews with ESPN on Wednesday, Sluka’s representative and father got specific, saying UNLV had failed to pay promised NIL money.
Marcus Cromartie of Equity Sports told ESPN that Sluka had a verbal commitment for $100,000, promised by an assistant coach, but Sluka never received any of it. After multiple inquiries, Cromartie said UNLV and its collective made an offer of $3,000 monthly for four months — $88,000 short of the initial agreement, according to the representative.
Bob Sluka said his son was told when he arrived at UNLV that he would be put on a payment plan but didn’t receive pay. The elder Sluka said Cromartie eventually was told the quarterback would receive only $3,000 to cover the move to Nevada, adding his living expenses weren’t covered.
“They keep deferring, ‘We don’t know. You have to wait,’” Bob Sluka told ESPN. “Then it was like, ‘We’re going to give him game checks.’ So we’re like, ‘OK, great.’ We did not ask for a single dollar [more].”
In a statement released Wednesday, UNLV said Sluka’s “representative made financial demands upon the University and its NIL collective in order to continue playing.”
“UNLV Athletics interpreted these demands as a violation of the NCAA pay-for-play rules, as well as Nevada state law,” the school said. “UNLV does not engage in such activity, nor does it respond to implied threats. UNLV has honored all previously agreed-upon scholarships for Matthew Sluka.”
Allen also took to social media to announce his decision to leave the team and redshirt.
“After 3 games, I have decided to utilize my redshirt &enter the portal at the end of the season as a RS JR. I’m grateful for UNLV &wish them nothing but success. Expectations for opportunities unfortunately were not met &I am excited to continue my football career,” Allen said in the post.
Allen was UNLV’s fourth-leading rusher, gaining 108 yards on 19 carries. He had been splitting touches with Greg Burrell and Kylin James. Allen transferred in from North Carolina State.
Matthew Sluka completed 21 of 48 passes for 318 yards and six touchdowns with one interception in three games this season.
The dual threat also had 39 carries for 253 yards and a score for the Rebels (3-0), who host Fresno State (3-1, 1-0) in their Mountain West Conference opener on Saturday.
Either Hajj-Malik Williams or Cameron Friel will start at quarterback for UNLV in that game.